Josh and I recently represented a couple (Rosella and Gram) in a house-hunting journey with the happiest ending and so we wanted to share their experience with you. It’s so important to have proper representation by an experienced agent when embarking on what is most likely the largest financial journey of your lifetime … so Thank You to Gram and Rosella for your invaluable insight on what it’s like to be a PDX Homebuyer in 2024!

How long did it take in the house-hunt before you found one to write an offer on?

We actually put an offer down quite quickly on an older home. That one didn’t end up working out for various reasons but we learned so much in the process! It helped us narrow down what was most important to us and what types of repairs/upgrades we were willing to do.

How many offers did you end up writing?

3… third time’s the charm!

Did you know what you wanted in a home from the start or did you have to step inside a few to start getting your Wants vs Needs list solidified?

We thought we had a pretty good idea of what we wanted but soon realized we needed to whittle it down more. We started attending more open houses to figure out what our “must haves” were – then, when we found a house that checked all those boxes it made the decision easier. Also, a family member gave us good advice that you should seriously consider the things you can’t change about a house (neighborhood) versus things you can (an outdated bathroom). 

How / why did you choose the Moran Homes team?

We had multiple family members who had worked with the Moran Homes team previously and had a really pleasant experience. It put our minds at ease knowing we had someone in our corner we could trust and who had our best interests at heart. 

What made the process go smoothly?

By the time we made our third offer, we knew what to expect so the whole thing was less stressful. Overall, our entire buying timeline and process was smooth and we were never ridiculously stressed or pulling our hair out! I think the combo of Josh and Susie really helped with this. Together, they have so much knowledge about the Portland market, house features, how to fix various things, ideas for improvement, etc. that helped guide us. Also, they had a good working relationship with our Mortgage Broker which helped simplify things between all parties.

Any advice to future buyers in regards to hiring an agent? Can you articulate why you do need a buyers agent to represent you?

We definitely could not have gone through this process on our own – having Susie and Josh was essential! They were instrumental in helping us navigate the inspection process, served as our advocates to make sure we were getting a fair deal, and helped ease some of the general work and friction that comes with buying a home. For future buyers, I’d recommend finding an agent with whom you can be honest and open with to ensure you feel comfortable sharing your preferences. It also helps if your realtor is well-connected and knows people you can hire for various home projects.

Any surprises along the way?

I think we assumed we’d end up in a slightly older house since we love historic Portland homes. However, we ended up in a house that had just been flipped and feels practically brand new! We love it and realized we really value things being crisp and updated so we feel great about how it all worked out.

Favorite part of your new neighborhood?

Our street is really quiet and the neighbors have been so welcoming. Also, there are tons of amazing options for walks in the area which was really important to us.

Best of luck in the new digs, Rosella and Gram!